Forty-five Crystal Lake High School District 155 graduates from all four high schools will serve in the armed services.
Ten women and 35 young men have enlisted in the Air Force, Army, Coast Guard, Marine Corps, Navy, National Guard, the reserves, and the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps.
“We are extremely proud of our students who have decided to serve our country and defend our freedom. There is no greater sacrifice, and it is truly honorable,” Superintendent Johnnie Thomas said.
Christina Lanaski, a recent Prairie Ridge High School graduate, is the only woman among the 12 District 155 students who enlisted in the Marines Corps. She is the fourth generation in her family to serve the country.
“My family has been in the military for four generations and I would be the first female in my family to serve the Marines. I’ve lived such a great life in America, and I need to pay back and serve my country,” Lanaski said.
Lanaski spent the first few weeks of summer training for boot camp in Parris Island, South Carolina. She already has completed boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station near North Chicago and advanced medical training in Battlefield, Michigan.
“I think it’s important for females to not shy away because it’s male dominated in the Marines. If more females understood that it’s a great place for females to do things and push themselves, then more would enlist in the military,” she said.
Lanaski will serve active duty for the next five years, and then three years in the reserves.
Judson University gets new chief financial officer: Jeffrey Eder is the new chief financial officer and vice president of business affairs at Judson University in Elgin.
Eder was the CFO and executive vice president of finance at Bible League International in Crete, Illinois, where he worked for the past six years.
He was responsible for global finance strategy, compliance, risk management and financial analysis and reporting. Previously, he worked for the German engineering firm Siemens as CFO, vice president of finance and administration and as a controller.
“In addition to his faith commitment, Jeff brings substantial business acumen and financial experience to the Judson community,” Judson President Gene Crume said. “His leadership is an important part of fulfilling our strategic plan.”
Eder has been a member on the boards of Schlesinger Siemens, the Christian Life Center and IndX Software Corp. He holds a bachelor’s degree in accounting from Eastern Illinois University. He and his wife, Jean Maloney Eder, have five adult children.